Join the City’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and Be the Change

More and safer bike routes like these requires more community involvement.

Bicycle infrastructure doesn't happen by magic, and Portland won't regain her status as the number one Bike City in the US without the active participation of concerned citizens. If you'd like to see Portland back on top with progressive, proactive, pro-bike urban planning, you might want to apply to be a member of the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC). The committee is currently seeking members to meet monthly to help shape Portland policy and planning related to bicycle related concerns.

According to a recent article in Bicycling Magazine, Portland has given up her throne as Best Bike City in America, coming in fourth place after Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York. The two most compelling justifications for this fall from grace are the lack of separated bike lanes and infrastructure improvements, and lack of a viable bike sharing program. These are the types of programs the Bicycle Advisory Committee can help shape for the coming years.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee members meet monthly to review and make recommendations on a wide range of concerns, including urban planning affecting cycling, funding priorities related to cycling projects, and activities of other jurisdictions that affect bicycling in Portland.

This volunteer committee is made of up 13 members with full standing, and up to seven alternate members. To qualify, applicants must reside in the Portland Metropolitan area, have an active interest in promoting cycling for transportation and recreation, commit to attending monthly meetings, and participate in committee work. Members are appointed to a 3-year term, and meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6pm in the Lovejoy Room in City Hall. You may attend this week's meeting on Tuesday, September 9th, to check it out and talk to current members.

Applications must be received no later than Friday, September 12, 2014.

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